Following the divergent positions on the Tax Reform Bills, the South East Caucus in the Senate, on Monday, called for wider consultations, a position that is in tandem with so many groups who have also said the bills which are currently under consideration at both the red and green chambers of the National Assembly, should be put out for more inputs.
Leader of the caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South), made the call while speaking with journalists after a closed-door meeting held with senators from the five South-Eastern states in his office.
At the media briefing, Abaribe clarified, that while the South East senators are not opposed to the bills, they believe wider consultations are necessary before the proposed legislation is fully considered by the National Assembly.
“As much as the senators from the South East are not against the Tax Reform Bills before both chambers of the National Assembly, we insist that wider consultations need to be carried out,” he stated.
Emphasising the importance of engaging with constituents and critical stakeholders, Abaribe said, “Specifically, we need to consult with our constituents across the 15 senatorial districts in the zone, our state governments, and other critical stakeholders.
“We have read through the bills and want to share our insights with stakeholders from the South East zone to ensure a more equitable framework is reflected in the bills that will eventually be passed.
“We are not against the bills, but feel it is imperative to consult with our people.”
The Tax Reform Bills, comprising the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill 2024, Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill 2024, and Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill 2024 have sparked widespread debate since their introduction by President Bola Tinubu to the Senate and the House of Representatives on October 3, 2024.
While the Presidency and the South-South Caucus in the Senate are advocating for the immediate consideration and passage of the bills, other stakeholders, including the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Northern Senators, and the Arewa Consultative Forum are pushing for broader consultations to ensure inclusivity and balance.
